Global News Post: North Korea

Launch of DPR Korea’s satellite ‘deplorable’, says Ban

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHd7QeFbHEpR33jR0RC7rnpd2GGok3GIp9FCA7t2m2WiN1rSGK4kI_gy-BldRke7qLBHB0ge3OFDqtWWjvPPJTQ6Pz1QvB2wRN0Jw9zVbTTZwMqPIWeZe57pPqzWsti8na9W9KfjkxlM/s1600/479361-bankimoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHd7QeFbHEpR33jR0RC7rnpd2GGok3GIp9FCA7t2m2WiN1rSGK4kI_gy-BldRke7qLBHB0ge3OFDqtWWjvPPJTQ6Pz1QvB2wRN0Jw9zVbTTZwMqPIWeZe57pPqzWsti8na9W9KfjkxlM/s320/479361-bankimoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">UN Photo/Mark Garten<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">United Nations – Despite its failure, the launch of a so-called ‘application satellite’ by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is “deplorable”, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today and urged the country to not undertake further actions that could increase tension in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Early this morning, DPRK authorities launched the satellite, but, according to media reports, it flew less than two minutes before exploding and crashing into the waters of the Korean peninsula.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Secretary-General said the launch “defies the firm and unanimous stance of the international community” and threatens regional stability, according to statement issued by his spokesperson.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mr. Ban has consistently been calling on the DPRK Government to reconsider its decision to launch the satellite, noting that it violates the Security Council resolution 1874 of 2009 which bans “any launch using ballistic missile technology.” That resolution imposed additional sanctions on DPRK after previous demands that the country not conduct any further nuclear or missile tests went unheeded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the statement, Mr. Ban reaffirmed his commitment to work for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and help the people of the DPRK, in particular, by addressing the serious food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“The Secretary-General renews his call on the DPRK authorities to work towards building confidence with neighbouring countries and improving the life of its people,” the statement said. ---UN News<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Launch of DPR Korea’s satellite ‘deplorable’, says Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Mark Garten United Nations – Despite its failure, the launch of a so-called ‘application satell...

India Joins S.Korea & U.S Against N.Korea's Planned Satellite Launch

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the leaders of the<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Nuclear Security Summit, in Seoul on March 27, 2012.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Photo © PIB<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SEOUL  (NNN-Bernama) -- India has joined South Korea and the United States in voicing their concern over North Korea's plan to launch an 'application satellite', a move that is likely to escalate tension in the peninsula, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a joint statement after their meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for maintaining peace and stability in the peninsula including its denuclearisation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Noting North Korea's announcement made on March 16, that it plans to launch the so-called "application satellite", the leaders said that nothing should be done which increases tensions in the region and violates the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Nothing should be done which could increase tensions in the region," Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East), in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama warned North Korea that it risks deepening its isolation in the global community if it proceeds with its planned long-range rocket launch. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations," Obama said, who is here to attend a nuclear security summit. The US President spoke following a private meeting with President Lee. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Both leaders warned there would be consequences if North Korea proceeds with next month's launch. The move would jeopardise a deal for the US to resume stalled food at to the North, Obama said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Bad behaviour will not be rewarded," Obama said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">North Korea plans to launch a satellite using a long-range rocket next month, which the US and other powers said would violate a UN ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same could be used for long-range missiles. --NNN-BERNAMA <o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Joins S.Korea & U.S Against N.Korea's Planned Satellite Launch

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the leaders of the Nuclear Security Summit, in Seoul on March 27, 2012. Photo © PIB SEOUL...

World Reacts To Kim Jong Il Death

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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and Europe are reacting with caution to the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state></st1:place> reaffirming its commitment to stability on the Korean peninsula and European leaders voicing guarded hope for change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A White House statement says President Barack Obama spoke by telephone early Monday with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, to reaffirm <st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state>'s strong commitment to "the security of our close ally, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Republic</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Korea</st1:placename></st1:place>." The statement said both leaders agreed to continue close coordination between their respective national security teams.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seoul</st1:place></st1:city>, President Lee canceled all of his scheduled events, convened a National Security Council meeting and placed the South Korean military on emergency alert. South Korean media say aerial surveillance near the North Korean border has been stepped up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">China</span></span></st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s closest ally, offered condolences to the North Korean public, while Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda convened a meeting of senior advisors to formulate a response to the North Korean leader's death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The two <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Koreas</st1:place></st1:country-region> remain technically at war since their three-year conflict ended in 1953.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Kim's death could be a turning point for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He also said <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:place></st1:city>'s engagement with the international community offers the North its best hope for improving the lives of ordinary North Koreans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> is wary about the consequences of a power transfer in the secretive communist state. He voiced hope that North Korean citizens will gain expanded freedoms in the future.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;"> ---VOA News</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>

World Reacts To Kim Jong Il Death

The United States and Europe are reacting with caution to the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, with Washington reaffirming its ...

Korean media calls leader’s son Kim Jong-un 'great successor'

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">MOSCOW</span></span></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> (RIA Novosti) - <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s state news agency KCNA has called the late leader Kim Jong-il’s son, Jong-un, a “great successor.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The “dear leader,” who has led the secretive nuclear-armed state since 1994, died aged 69 while traveling on his train on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">He suffered a heart attack due to “physical and mental over-work,” state television announced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">KCNA urged the communist nation to rally behind the younger Kim, who is believed to have been groomed to take over power and was appointed a general last year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The dear leader’s enigmatic third son, who is thought to be in his late 20s, is the “great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche [<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s national ideology of self-reliance] and outstanding leader of our party, army and people,” KCNA said. However, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place> has gone through a prolonged spell of economic hardship and food shortages, with some suggesting that a humanitarian disaster is unfolding in the reclusive state.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A funeral for Kim Jong-il will be held in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:city></st1:place> on December 28, with the mourning period lasting until December 29, KCNA said. No foreign delegations will be allowed to attend the funeral. Kim’s body is now laid in a massive mausoleum in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:city></st1:place> where his father, Kim Il-sung, lies in state in a glass case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">News of Kim’s death came in an emotional bulletin broadcast on state television.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“It is our people and nation’s biggest sadness,” the tearful announcer, wearing black, said as she told viewers of the dear leader’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The U.S. White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama had been notified and that <st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state> was “in close touch with our allies in <st1:country-region w:st="on">South Korea</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies,” Carney said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A spokesman for South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said the leader spoke to Obama over the telephone and that the two agreed to “closely cooperate and monitor the situation together,” the BBC reported.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">China</span></span></st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:place></st1:city>’s closest ally, has yet to officially comment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Asian stock markets slumped after Kim’s death was announced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>

Korean media calls leader’s son Kim Jong-un 'great successor'

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - North Korea ’s state news agency KCNA has called the late leader Kim Jong-il’s son, Jong-un, a “great successor.” ...

US-North Korea Begin Talks on Nuclear Disarmament

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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">U.S. and North Korean diplomats Monday began two days of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, about restarting six-party negotiations on <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:place></st1:city>'s nuclear programs.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> delegation is headed by outgoing special envoy for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region> Stephen Bosworth and his successor, Glyn Davies. They will present <st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state>'s position that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pyongyang</st1:place></st1:city> must stop its uranium enrichment program and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country before the multilateral talks can resume.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">North Korea's delegation, led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan, is likely to be bound by remarks from leader Kim Jong Il. He told <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s state-run news agency Itar-Tass last week that talks should resume swiftly and without preconditions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">However <st1:country-region w:st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region> is under pressure from its main ally, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>, to improve relations with the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Kequiang told North Korean Premier Choe Yong Rim on Sunday that such moves would promote stability in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United  States</st1:country-region> describes the talks in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:city> as exploratory. A spokesman for the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> State Department, Mark Toner, stressed last week that the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> is looking for a "seriousness of purpose" on the part of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The two countries held their first round of dialogue in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> in late July.<span>  </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">North  Korea</span></i></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> quit the six-party talks, which also involve <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">South  Korea</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>, in April 2009, but in recent months has repeatedly expressed a desire to return to the negotiating table. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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US-North Korea Begin Talks on Nuclear Disarmament

U.S. and North Korean diplomats Monday began two days of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, about restarting six-party negotiations on Pyongyan...

North, South Korea agree to resume six-party talks

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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Topic: North Korea's nuclear program<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">MOSCOW(RIA Novosti)-South and North Korea have agreed to take joint efforts to resume the stalled six-party talks on ending the North's nuclear program "as soon as possible," Yonhap news agency said on Friday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The agreement came after a two-hour meeting between South Korean chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac and his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Bali, Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The two sides also reaffirmed their "willingness to implement" the 2005 statement in which the North agreed to give up its nuclear program, Ri said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a meeting on Friday with his North Korean counterpart on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. "We [Russia] hail Pyongyang's readiness to resume six-party talks without any preconditions," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions involving the two Koreas, China, the United States, Russia and Japan came to a halt in April 2009 when North Korea walked out of negotiations to protest the United Nations' condemnation of its missile tests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">North Korea is banned from conducting nuclear or ballistic missile tests under UN Resolution 1718, adopted after Pyongyang's first nuclear test on October 9, 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">However, the country carried out a second nuclear test on May 25, 2009, followed by a series of short-range missile launches, and has threatened to build up its nuclear arsenal to counter what it calls hostile U.S. policies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div>

North, South Korea agree to resume six-party talks

Topic: North Korea's nuclear program MOSCOW(RIA Novosti)-South and North Korea have agreed to take joint efforts to resume the st...

S Korea troops fire at passenger plane

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="331" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A7oxWbvKNes?rel=0" width="530"></iframe><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Officials said Saturday that South Korean troops fired at a passenger plane carrying 119 passengers and crew, thinking it was a North Korean warplane. Two Marine guards on Gyodong island off the western coast of South Korea fired their K-2 rifles (similar to the M-16) at the ASIANA plane as it descended for landing Friday at Seoul's Incheon airport. The passenger liner was on a flight from China and was undamaged, because it was out of range of the rifles. Officials say the firing lasted about 10 minutes, with the guards discharging around 99 shots. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">VOA News</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></b><br />
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S Korea troops fire at passenger plane

Officials said Saturday that South Korean troops fired at a passenger plane carrying 119 passengers and crew, thinking it was a North Ko...